Young giraffe dies after 'freak accident' at Zoo Miami

(WJBK) - A young giraffe had to be euthanized after a freak accident, zoo officials announced on Facebook Wednesday.

The Facebook post stated the giraffe, Wesley, had to be euthanized after he lodged his head between two posts, panicked, and caused an apparent spinal injury that eventually prevented him from being able to stay standing.

It is with a heavy heart that Zoo Miami announces the death of a young giraffe following a freak accident yesterday...

The zoo says it happened when they were examining another giraffe and Wesley was in a holding area, and apparently tried to observe what was happening with the other giraffe.

Wesley was born last May at the zoo. Zoo officials said they were able to free Wesley from the posts very quickly, but the spinal cord damage had already been done. A veterinary team then tried to help Wesley for several hours before making the decision to euthanize him.

The zoo says Wesley was the 48th giraffe born at Zoo Miami and that this is the first accident of its kind. The zoo says it is modifying the holding area and double checking other zoo enclosures to ensure the animals' safety.